Health DG laments mass movements ahead of lockdown, warns of dire consequences - The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah took to social media to lament the mass movement of Malaysians just before the full movement control order lockdown comes into effect next week.

“Where are you headed this weekend? Mass movement is still happening despite interstate and inter-district travel restrictions,” he said in a Facebook post Saturday (May 29).

His post was accompanied by several screengrabs showing massive lines of cars and other vehicles choking highway toll plazas in Gombak and Sungai Besi.

Dr Noor Hisham expressed worries that such mass movement of people would not help efforts in preventing the further spread of the virus.

The nation has seen record numbers of Covid-19 daily infections surpassing 8,000 cases for several days in a row.

He appealed to all Malaysians to remain in their homes and only venture out if needed.

He warned of dire consequences if the nation’s healthcare system collapses under the strain of increasing Covid-19 cases.

“If we collapse (the health system), you or your family member may not receive the appropriate treatment.

“More unfortunate is when there are no beds for you at the hospital.

“What more if you are in a critical stage but all the ICU beds are full,” he said as a grim reminder of the present situation.

He said that although fatigued, the ministry’s frontliners continue to battle hard against the pandemic.

Dr Noor Hisham had posted several photographs of exhausted medical frontliners in an earlier Facebook.

His post drew support from Malaysians who expressed gratitude over the sacrifices made by frontliners.